Dolphins Pro Bowlers: Wake, Long, Marshall?

The NFL will announce their Pro Bowl team at 7:15 p.m. and the expectation in Davie, where the Dolphins train is that at least one and possibly two or three of their players might make the AFC team.

The Dolphins hope Cameron Wake will make the team as a starter or backup.

The Dolphins hope Jake Long will make the team as a starter or backup.

The Dolphins hope Brandon Marshall can make the team as a backup.

Long and Marshall were on the team last year but haven't either peformed at the same level as a year ago, or don'thave similar statistics to a season ago.

Wake, however, is clearly Miami's best hope for making the team despite the fact he finished well back in fifth among outside linebackers during the fan voting. Wake leads the NFL with 14 sacks.

Marshall, by the way, is ninth in the NFL with 81 receptions. The problem is Brandon Lloyd, Steve Johnson, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Dwayne Bowe and Mike Wallace are over the magic 1,000-yard mark for the season while Marshall is 20th in the NFL with 917 yards. And Marshall's three TDs is fewer than the seven AFC receivers with more yardage then him, too.

Long?

Steady. Solid.

He's probably making it based on reputation. That's just a guess. But has he been dominant? No. His most impressive feat this year has been his ability to stay play despite knee and shoulder injuries that probably would have sideline lesser men.

Regardless of whether Long makes it, the question will be whether he plays. Because he has been fighting off so many bumps and bruises and may require shoulder surgery, Long may opt out if he makes the Pro Bowl.